LS passes Bill to create Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulator
New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) The Lok Sabha today passed by voice vote the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Bill that seeks to create a regulator for refining and distribution of fuel and protecting consumer rights.
The Bill had been passed by the Rajya Sabya on March 5.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, who moved the Bill in the Lower House yesterday, assured MPs after a long debate that all measures to ensure sufficient supply of cooking gas and contain adulteration would be taken.
The new regulator would work in a transparent manner, he said.
''We will seriously consider there is no bar for politicians to become the Board chairman or its member,'' Mr Deora said much to the jubilation of the members.
He said it was true that the months of October and December last year did see shortage of LPG because of fire in Bombay High and other reasons. ''But now the supply line is perfectly okay,'' he added.
At present, there are 8.76 crore consumers who get LPG supply through as many as 1,000 centres. Fifty per cent of the gas supply comes from the public sector, 25 per cent from the private sector and the remaining 25 per cent from imports, he said.
The Minister also assured the House that he would send written replies to all MPs who had raised certain questions.
Referring to the New Market Discipline Guidelines to check adulteration, he said the Ministry had taken stringent steps including termination of dealerships to contain adulteration.
''Besides, I am writing to the state governments to use the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act to punish the guilty.'' The Ministry had also taken several measures like the New Locking Device to check pilferage by unscrupulous dealers.
Earlier, Mr B Mehta (BJD) wondered how the Regulatory Board would ensure competition among rival companies. He also said the Bill does not provide for independence of the Regulatory Board.
Mr Alok Mehta (RJD) wanted some controls to be exercised over the quality of gas cylinders to check cases of explosion in the cylinders. He called for proper checking and testing of cylinders so that spurious cylinders do not come into the market.
Mr Yerran Naidu (TDP) wanted some MPs having knowledge of commerce to be included on the Regulatory Board.
Mr Toofani Saroj (SP) and Mr V Radhakrishnan (CPI-M) were among those who participated in the discussion.
UNI KSA/YS MSJ GC1737